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Post by plocket on Feb 26, 2007 15:08:30 GMT 1
On page 73 of the March Gardeners' World magazine there are instructions for making a bee hotel. I was wondering whether I could use a wooden wine box (for one bottle) instead, as I happen to have one handy. Any thoughts?
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Post by sweetleaf on Feb 26, 2007 15:11:00 GMT 1
Im sure the bees wouldnt mind Plocket, what will you put inside?
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Post by plocket on Feb 26, 2007 15:12:51 GMT 1
I've kept some stems back from my fennel which should be about right. It won't be a very deep hotel though - I mean that the depth of the box is only about 4 inches. I hope that's adequate for the insects!
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Post by plocket on Feb 26, 2007 15:14:44 GMT 1
I'm still thinking about this! The stems I've already cut and saved are about 8 inches long at the moment. Would it be better to tie them into a bundle and hang like that, or is the wooden frame necessary to protect the stems?
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Post by plocket on Feb 26, 2007 18:46:33 GMT 1
In it Sweetleaf? I'm going to put fennel and verbena bonariensis stems in it. They are hollow so the bees should be able to make nice little nests in them. Is that what you meant?
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Post by sweetleaf on Feb 26, 2007 18:50:24 GMT 1
yep! that sounds good Plocket, theyll think its heavenly. ;D
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Post by The witch on Feb 26, 2007 18:59:26 GMT 1
Brilliant idea Plocket  What type of bees will it attract?  |
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Post by plocket on Feb 26, 2007 19:01:33 GMT 1
Supposedly mason bees - we get the odd one nesting in the wall but it would be nice to encourage them because they are good pollinators, obviously.
Do you get GW Mag or do you want me to scan it so you can see it?
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Post by The witch on Feb 26, 2007 22:52:40 GMT 1
It would be great if you could scan it P. as I don't have the mag any more. ;D
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Post by plocket on Feb 26, 2007 22:54:38 GMT 1
I'll do it tomorrow The witch - I do warn you that it got sprayed in Pimms this evening though ;D
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Post by The witch on Feb 26, 2007 23:08:23 GMT 1
Thanks Plocket and BTW what a waste of Pimms  ;D |
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Post by plocket on Feb 27, 2007 9:22:53 GMT 1
A terrible waste of Pimms - I might have to buy another bottle ;D
I'm going to scan the article when I'm back from the school run The witch.
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Post by plocket on Feb 27, 2007 12:04:23 GMT 1
Here's the article The witch - I've uploaded it as a fairly large file so I hope the Board can take it. If not let me know and we'll sort something else out.  |
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Post by The witch on Feb 27, 2007 12:11:12 GMT 1
Thanks for posting that Plocket I will make one for my next garden. ;D |
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Post by plocket on Feb 27, 2007 12:27:05 GMT 1
Got anything you can prune back now and use? ;D
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Post by The witch on Feb 27, 2007 12:31:54 GMT 1
Probably - but I don't fancy relocating a bee hotel - I don't think the removal men would be too happy either. ;D ![]() i33.photobucket.com/albums/d75/The witch-in-Norfolk/Smilies/hitfly.gif[/IMG] |
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Post by plocket on Feb 27, 2007 12:36:38 GMT 1
hehehe! But you could make it now and have it ready for when you move!
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Post by piggingardener on Feb 27, 2007 12:43:03 GMT 1
Your wine box should be perfect P - 4" = 10cm and that's what they are recommending. Incidentally, is there a theme here, wine boxes, Pimms spraying, ...........
BTW Aldi sell a drink called Austins in the summer, it costs about £5 and is exactly the same as Pimms, very nice on a warm summers evening....
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Post by plocket on Feb 27, 2007 12:49:24 GMT 1
Theme?  NOOOOOOOOOO!  Wine? Never touch the stuff!!! Oooh I'll have to look in Aldi one day then. That's at least half the price of Pimms! |
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Post by plocket on Feb 27, 2007 14:36:29 GMT 1
Ok I've posted a piccy of my bee hotel so far. As you can see it's far from full so I was wondering whether to cut the box up (seems a shame really!), go and buy wood to make a new one, or whether there was something else I can fill the box with. I'm out of fennel and VB now, and I don't know of a local patch of Japanese Knotweed   |
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Post by piggingardener on Feb 27, 2007 15:20:23 GMT 1
Have you got any old bamboo canes you could utilise?
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Post by 4pygmies on Feb 27, 2007 15:28:37 GMT 1
You could always have another section or two for other wildlife Plocket. Could you tie up bundles of dried grasses, twigs, hay etc...? Or make some mini habitats out of other materials, p'raps another shelf or two jammed in to keep them separate so you could make it decorative as well as useful? Maybe some black netting over one whole section and fill it with leaves etc...?
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Post by plocket on Feb 27, 2007 15:37:07 GMT 1
I've hacked at a few bamboo canes but they weren't up to much ;D
I like the idea of other mini habitats - I don't want to attract the wrong sort of insects though! What do grasses and hay attract? I thought earwigs liked them! ;D
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Post by 4pygmies on Feb 27, 2007 15:40:02 GMT 1
Erm, I don't think it's easy to pick and choose your wildlife! P'raps earwigs won't find it if it's hanging off a tree? Ladybirds might like it though... that's why I'm very dubious about ground level homes like hedgehog boxes - perfect for a snug little rat nest |
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Post by plocket on Feb 27, 2007 15:48:27 GMT 1
I'm a bit cautious about earwigs coz they like clematis buds!!!
The hotel isn't going to be hanging off a tree as I haven't got a tree big enough. I had thought of hanging it on the garden wall, in the shelter of one of the buttresses (makes it sound so posh and big!!!) and behind the ceanothus. It's warm there because it gets lots of sun, but the sun won't shine directly into the box. What do you think?
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;D
NOOOOOOOOOO! 
Wine? Never touch the stuff!!! 